Singer Chris Brown under investigation in alleged assault

R&B singer Chris Brown, one of the biggest-selling performers in pop music, was booked tonight in Los Angeles on charges stemming from an alleged assault on his girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna, according to police and other sources familiar with the investigation.

An official police statement did not name Rihanna, but said the woman in the incident “suffered visible injuries.”

Details of what took place between the two were sketchy, but authorities and sources said that about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Brown and a woman got into an argument in a rented Lamborghini on North June Street in Hancock Park. Brown stopped the car, the two got out, and the argument escalated. A witness called 911, but police said Brown was gone by the time officers arrived at the scene. The woman identified Brown as her assailant.

Authorities did not describe her injuries or whether she was treated for them.

The sources said the woman was Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

Brown was booked on a charge of making criminal threats, and police said he remained under investigation for felony charges of domestic violence. “The exact charge was criminal threats and it is going to be investigated as a criminal threats investigation,” said Police Sgt. Bridget Pickett, who spoke to reporters at the Wilshire Division police station, where Brown was booked. “There may be domestic violence charges added later, but that will be up to the district attorney’s office.”

Pickett defined a criminal threat as “a threat that is made to a person with the likelihood that it may occur.” She said that Brown arrived at the police station about 6:30 p.m. dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. “He was very professional,” she said. Brown was joined at the station by his lawyer, Mark Geragos, and Geragos’ investigator, Scott Ross.

After posting $50,000 bail, Brown left the station before 9 p.m.

Both Brown and Rihanna had been scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards, which began at 5 p.m. at Staples Center. Neither appeared, and Grammy officials issued a statement just before the show saying: "We have just been informed Rihanna will not be attending tonight’s 51st Grammy Awards. Rihanna will not be performing. We are sorry to see she is unable to join us this evening.”

A publicist for the Barbados-born star, who sold more digital song downloads than anyone else in 2008 with nearly 10 million tracks, said Sunday night: “Rihanna is well. Thank you for your concern and support.”

Her song “Disturbia,” which she’d been scheduled to perform at the ceremony, was the sixth best-selling digital track of the year. She was replaced by veteran soul singer Al Green, who was accompanied by country singer-guitarist Keith Urban.

Brown and Rihanna had appeared together Saturday night at producer Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills.

A spokesman for Brown’s record label did not respond to The Times’ request for comment. Brown finished 2008 as the fourth-best-selling artist in the digital realm, posting 6.8 million tracks sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

-- Andrew Blankstein, Randy Lewis, Ari Bloomekatz and Mitchell Landsberg

Photo: Singers Rihanna and Chris Brown perform at New York City's Madison Square Garden in December. Credit: Evan Agostini / Associated Press

Comments

[ME...]

LOOK I KNOW CHRIS BUT I DON'T THINK HE REALLY DID THAT

[Teri]

I am shocked to hear such sad news about two of our beloved Pop Stars. My 13 year old daughter is very saddened to hear Chris Brown is possibly not the wonderful guy she thought he was. What a dissappointment for a young person that admires these people. We hope that Rhianna is OK, and that Chris gets help to straighten out.

[LINDA MOORE]

I STILL SUPORT CHRIS, HE'S A YOUNG MAN WHO'S GOING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES. MY PRAYERS GOES OUT TO MISS RIHANNA.

[Tasmin]

I am chirs brown biggest fan i love im so much but wat girl wouldnt say that....

i have reseached this insident for over an hour and as far as im concerned chris brown had an argument with one of his supervisors and she claimed to be attacked, then when he didnt go to the grammy's rihanna went with him,

of course!!!
xx

[Hopeful J. Jones]

Are you serious? He's wayyyyyyyy to young to be in for domestic violence! Clearly, celebs are people too--people who need counseling like the best of us.

[Anonymous]

As this story unfolds, I hope it will be used as an opportunity to address domestic violence in our society.

How shocking that a major entertainer (who is only 19 years old) would attack his girlfriend, another major entertainer (who is only 20 years old), on the day of the Grammy awards at which both of them are scheduled to perform and nominated to win awards.

I remember seeing Chris Brown interviewed by Tyra Banks on her show a year or so ago. She asked him about his experience of witnessing domestic violence as a child; he speaks openly about having seen his father beat his mother before his parents apparently split up. He responded to the effect that because he had witnessed abusive behavior, he was determined not to mistreat a woman. I remember questioning the truth of his statement at the time.

Some music industry people are already saying that "no one is perfect" and we shouldn't be "judgmental." That may be true, but I hope domestic violence experts will take note and let young women know what they can do to protect themselves from it.

For information, visit saferelationshipsmagazine.com.

[ZayZay]

I Dont think that is right, an i hope he didnt beat her up because i love Chris Breezy an if he did do it , then he is letting alot of fans down who look up to him, including m3

[Chris]

Its time that Mothers wake up and see that Violence against women is being done by their sons and not strangers. Some fathers are missing in action so they have to not put up with this craziness and not defend them but let them know that these woman are someone mother, sister, cousin or Aunt. If they dont want this for their females in their family than they need to realize that they are doing this to someone elses female family member. Chris Brown is an example of just how far down the chain rapp has sent most young black men in this country. Chris should be a real man and even make an appology in public to this female because she did not make him do it. Men walk away real men that is. If it were my daughter he would have to not just pay with money but in public with an appology from his knees. Come on Chris step up and show everyone that women deserve to be at the sisde of men and not on their backs for men. They are a part of you as they were made from you and me if you believe in the bible at all.

[rachael durham]

dangg, everyone thought he was a good guy but guess not..

[P. Murray]

So America's Boy-Toy has a violent streak? Hmm, maybe Rihanna was trying to finally 'out' him to the world. Oh well, hope the bruises on her face don't put a damper on her Covergirl endorsement.

Yes, my sarcasm is dripping all over this like butter on a bagel. Ugh.

[Sean]

Wow. Lawyered up quick.
This new "Ike" is a smart. We'll see how smart the new "Tina" is if she with him when he gets out.

[Robert Wackro]

chris brown hit her but still you should never lay your hand on a female unless she hits like a man shes gonna get hit like one so rhianna must have a nice swing or slap so are chris brown and rhianna get back 2 gether ? please let me kno the 411c

[LA VW]

Heard he busted her jaw. You'll be hearing that in the next few days!

[Lala]

It may have just been a simple argument and whomever called the cops has just created the worse possible situation for the both of them. Keep thm in your prayers and give them some space.

[Joan C.]

I do hope that the truth comes out from this whole escapade. Her publicists lied about the entire event to include her absence from the Grammy Awards.

Regardless as to what happens, the truth will always come out.

[Whatever]

Who cares about this idiot, he's just another clown, pretending to be singer.

[All Hype]

The new Ike Turner?

[Alex Williams (:]

HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what the heck!!!!
is he insane?!?!?!
i can't believe this..
:( lol it's cray cray....
i still love him though
:):):):):):):):):):):):)
i wonder why he did it though

[Lorraine J]

I wish that everyone would take a moment and just pray for these two young people and this situation. All the facts are not out but already judgements are being made. Typical, the same people who love you will turn on you like a rabid dog at the first sniff of problems. If Chris truly attacked Rihanna, I hope that he gets the help he needs. Sometimes individuals don't think they are affected by their past, but given the right situation and moment, the damage appears. Until the entire story is out, let's not judge people.

[YouLoseSheWins]

Sources tell me that it was Rihanna and that she is in the hospital. There were pictures taken of rihanna after the assualt. Wait for those to come out soon..

[Patricia]

His career is finished. This town doesn't need another OJ. This is how OJ got his start.

I hope they give him six months in jail and make him have domestic violence counseling for the next two years.

And Rihanna had better realize -- women who get involved with men like this can end up being killed if they stay too long and then try to leave.

If she stays with him, the next time he attacks her, it will be much worse. That's how these kinds of people are. They escalate.

[cammie]

what got into him i love chris to much to hear bout him hittin rihanna i hope he gets out of jail soon

[DaHoodRapper]

Typical of today's Rap society, cocky-azz rapper who is prone to violence being spoon fed on money and attention.
They need to lock him up along with the others with a ZERO tolerance towards violence which is only glorified by the lyrics and culture of Rap for so many years.

[vanity rose]

wow it's funny how I’m reading like "he needs help" or "why did he do it" before all of the facts come out......now please don't get me wrong this is a very serious thing that needs to be dealt with, but can we please pump the breaks people and not just jump from A to Z all the while skipping B-Y........this is truly a case where a man simply can't win because all it takes is the allegation and it's almost as bad as the real thing........even if every charge is dropped from this point on he will be stained no matter what he does because people have already made up their minds…….if it’s not true then I feel very said for him because this can lead to a slipper slop down the line where women can just try to hit him up with extortion saying “pay me or I’ll say that you beat me up”………but if it’s true and he did beat up on her then they should grill him like chicken on the 4th of July hahahhah

[Myi]

You guys are hilarious... First off let that man be innocent until proven guilty. People are running wild with no facts... HOW LAME! How do we know that she did not attack him and he was protecting himself! Maybe she had a bruise on her arm because he was trying to restrain her from hurtinh him???? We do not know what happend! God grow up! I do not believe in domestic violence at all, but I also don't believe in breaking down someone else's character with our ignorance. It's funny how people were loving him yesterday and know he's this and that. WOW!